Mervyn Mitton

I always think of this as the High Constable's Staff. Note, this one includes Prince of Wales feathers - could this indicate Wales - or, borders of Wales ?

I have always identified this part of the regalia - as the Sheriff's Staff. The copper showing through the silver, is considered very desireable with Sheffield Plate.

You will see the stand marks near the end of the handle

I must be honest and say, that I really had no idea where to post these? None of our headings really cover them, since they are Civic, rather than Police. I have had them for some 30 years - a dealer had kept them for me at the giant Newark Fair - these three and a a long wooden staff with the head of a tonsured monk ( monks used to shave the centre of their head) . The story that he gave me, was that they had come from an old Masonic Hall and had been 'stage props'. I realised at once, that they were nothing of the sort and so added them to my collection - where they've been out of place, not being Police. I took the three feet staff (90 cm) to the Victoria & Albert Museum and they identified it as a 16th. Century hand treadled piece ( mid-fifteen hundreds). I decided it was either for a gatekeeper of a monastry or, for an inn keeper. They often had large staves to defend themselves - in any event, the head was probably St. Thomas aBeckett ( Archbishop of Canterbury) - murdered by Henry 2nd. I mention all of this because it gives provenance to the maces , which had also been identified as stage props. I suppose, if the truth was known, they were given away from a large house as unwanted items. There are three pieces - the Mayoral Mace is easily identifiable and would have been carried in procession and then stood in a holder - upright - in front of the mayor. You can still see the two circular marks in the wood where it was stood. The other two pieces could be for the Sheriff and for the High Constable - however, they did not always closely follow our set ideas and therefore, it is possible they were carried by other functionaries. They all have the same type of arms - Dolphins and scallop shells - with the cross pate on top, representing the authority of the Crown. Their composition is Sheffield Plate - invented in 1741 by a man in the Midlands of England , named Thomas Bolsover. The principle was to make a sandwich of silver -copper - silver and roll it out on the new rolling mills. Highly collected it can be worth more than solid silver. These are dated between 1800 and 1820. Their rarity is beyond question - Town regalia does not get given away - it goes to the local Museum - however - there is one possible explanation. In the early 1800's 'greedy and rapacious' Lords of the Manor had Parliament pass an Act, known as the Inclosure Act - this took away the common lands for pasture and crops, that had always been given to 'commoners'. Once they lost their land many towns and villages were unable to support themselves and literally, disappeared - even after hundreds of years in existance. My opinion is that these come from such a defunct town and the regalia was taken by the Lord of the Manor - and later, just given away. My reason for posting this long subject is simple - can any members make suggestions for where these may have come from ? The arms are probably for the POOLE family - who had estates in the North - near Chester. The arms are also similar to Poole in Dorset - however, I have checked and although they lost their mace set in the 1850's , they were recovered. Christies - the auctioneers - thought they were connected with Plymouth - but, I have never agreed with this. Any suggestions will be welcome - a 'modern' mystery ? NEVER POSTED PREVIOUSLY - THE AUTHOR RETAINS COPYRIGHT. NOT TO BE COPIED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION.

Great series, Leigh. Full of valuable info. and your pictures are superb.

The two sea cadets are straightforward - perhaps someone can identify the ships for the others ?

I agree fully with your comments - however, it wasn't 'Teflon' Mubarak I wrote to, but Anwar Sadat - gee! I'm getting old. Soon need Stogieman to de-bug me !! (But, ' T..G'.. -I don't look like Rick's picture - which is superb....)

I was going to post these under Africa - but it doesn't get too many, and I don't like my name up all the time. So - hint,hint-please post on Africa, I've got some lovely prints waiting. These blazer badges- all South African - are beautifully made - the Signals is bi-lingual and has Queen's Crown - The Imperial Light Horse and Durban Light Infantry are from WW2 period. The two brass collars are DLI. The one on the right shows the two running wildbeeste - who are part of Natal's old arms.

'Another mystery solved - Watkins' !! I'd forgotten it's correct name - however, thankyou for taking time to 'sort' me out. Now, the Horniman is another matter ..... The rarest and most eclectic items you could hope to find - and, a wonderful collection of truncheons. It's amazing when you think it all came from tea ! (Hornimans was a famous tea empire)

Joe - I can only add something that you - and everyone else will know - the broad arrow is Board of Ordnance and the X shows it was sold out of service. Amazing how marks vary when you compare this with the 1888 pattern I showed on your earlier post on rare bayonets.

I don't quite understand why you say it doesn't go on the rifle ? All the fittings look to be present. The lower curved one is a sword-bayonet - known as a Yataghan. With the British, it was usually reserved for Sgt's. From this period weren't the Turks using a Mauser?

Brian - you posted back in Sept. 2008 , I picked it up 'browsing' and with a combined effort you have your answer. Who said GMIC isn't an amazing meeting of minds ! Helen, I'm going back 25 years , but if you walked through Burlington Arcade from Regent St. and turned left at the end, the museum faced you. But, looking at the date, you were probably a little girl - I hate getting old !!!

Thanks - Mike. That answers one question. Have taken photos of the plume holder - but, left camera in shop. Will post them tomorrow - however, there are 7 flames.

Helen - nice to have you back corresponding. Do you know where the Ethnographic Museum moved to - it would help Brian contact them ?

From the depth of the eye sockets I wouldn't be surprised that it had stones inset. Should this be so, then the head could easily have been silvered. Have you seen one in a museum ?

I'll check the back tomorrow.

As you say - two rare bayonets. The moulding of the lion, on the Bulgarian example looks very interesting - would be good to see a close-up ?

The flame is copper - to represent the flame - the body of the badge is brass. When I bought it in UK , I was told RA - now, I'm not sure. Peter's comment re RHA - I mentioned King's troop - but do RHA exist as a separate body nowdays ?

One of the worst 'bug' attacks I ever saw was on the ground floor of the Cairo Museum. Most people go straight to the Tutankhamon exhibits, but I was browsing the papyrus manuscripts - all inside sealed glass cases. I don't think there was one case that didn't have small insects having a 'go' at it. I was so incensed, I wrote to the President - when I was safely out of Egypt - didn't seem to do any good, no one ever answered. If any member goes there , please see if there is only dust in the cases now ???